Former clerk reaches plea agreement in theft case

In a plea agreement, former LaGrange Town Clerk Michael D. Rowlison entered a guilty plea Monday in LaGrange County Circuit Court.

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By Wanda YoderJournal Correspondent

Sturgis Journal - Sturgis, MI

By Wanda YoderJournal Correspondent

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Wanda YoderJournal Correspondent

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 6:00 AM

LaGrange,Ind.

In a plea agreement, former LaGrange Town Clerk Michael D. Rowlison entered a guilty plea Monday in LaGrange County Circuit Court.

Rowlison, 66, of LaGrange, was sentenced by Senior Judge Walter Palmer to serve one year each on two Class A misdemeanor counts, suspended.

Rowlison's original charges included two Class D felony charges of theft and a Class D felony charge of official misconduct (theft) while performing his duties as town clerk.

Official charges were filed Nov. 28 by Special Prosecutor Tom Wilson of Angola, Ind.

According the plea agreement entered Monday, a fourth charge of conversion, a Class A misdemeanor, was added. The charge of official misconduct was dropped from a Class D felony to a Class A misdemeanor and the two other felony counts were dropped.

Rowlison also was ordered to serve 24 months probation, pay court costs, probation fees and restitution to the town of LaGrange, and serve 120 hours of community service, and is prohibited from holding public office for at least 10 years.

Rowlison, who had serve as LaGrange Town Clerk/Treasurer since 2000, resigned in December. Laurie Miller, who was named to serve as interim, was appointed Friday by Republican caucus to fill the position of clerk/treasurer.

LaGrange Town Council President Mark Eagleson said most of the items taken by Rowlison were recovered. The council was notified and was in agreement with the prosecutor's change of charges.

Rowlison was arrested Nov. 13 at his home, following an internal investigation, which was forwarded to the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation.

According to an affidavit for probable cause, Rowlison purchased a portable battery pack and a Gorilla lift using a credit card belonging to the Town of LaGrange and later took those items to his home for personal use without permission or authorization.

Rowlison admitted to investigators that he had taken the property, defrauding the town. Rowlison could not say how much property he has taken, but said he had done so during the past three to five years.